The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

Top Stories

Wikimedia Stock Image

NEWS: Bigger than the Bullet

Simon Williams, Online Managing Editor March 8, 2024

On Feb. 14 of 2024, a seemingly unifying moment had yet to leave a bitter mark on the event, community, and individuals it would impact, following a shooting that would occur. With the Kansas City Chiefs'...

A student drives without a license, something that has become increasingly popular and is a growing concern. This problem in our high school and many others around the United States can have dire consequences as inexperienced teen drivers attempt to navigate the road.

FEATURE: Driving Unlicensed

Delaney Bayliss, Reporter March 8, 2024

If you’ve ever had to spend hours at the DMV to get your driver’s license, you’ve probably wondered if you could just leave without it and drive anyway. It turns out, teenagers driving unlicensed...

BREAKING NEWS: Board Approves New Plan to Make Up Snow Days

BREAKING NEWS: Board Approves New Plan to Make Up Snow Days

Lilly Wall and Nick Sprecker March 8, 2024

After yesterday's uproar following the district's new schedule release aiming to offset this year's snow days, Lawrence Board of Education President Kelly Jones called a special meeting of the USD 497...

The varsity baseball team kneel together after winning the first home game of the 2023 season on March 23, 2023.

SPORTS: Batter Up

Nick Sprecker, Sports Editor March 7, 2024

After a week of examination and assessment, varsity head coach Mike Hill is ready to lead his baseball program into action and kick off his 27th year in charge of the Firebirds. Last year's team showcased...

BREAKING NEWS: Two Shootings in 24 Hours

BREAKING NEWS: Two Shootings in 24 Hours

Allison Mayhew and Phoebe Morris March 7, 2024

Two isolated shooting events resulting in two deaths took place on Tuesday, March 5 and Wednesday March 6 in Lawrence, Kansas. 18-year-old Davin Gregory Kerr was shot on March 5 around 10:40 p.m. on...

Working hard, sophomore Madeleine Landry throws the ropes during her workout. Landry has been going to Ubuntu performance for two years. “My favorite part is the environment and the people,” Landry said.

FEATURE: Athletic Training Programs

Corinne Kingsley, Reporter March 6, 2024

During high school, 91% of athletes report injuries. To contest these statistics, many focus on injury prevention at these facilities. When student-athletes are in need of extra training, local gyms like...

Illustration by Sarah Masterson

EDITORIAL: Lacking Sex Ed Program

Ember Klein, News Managing Editor March 4, 2024

In a poll by @FSJournalism on Instagram, 92% of students believe that the sexual education program at school is insufficient. This statistic is shockingly high due to the importance of comprehensive sex...

University of Kansas [KU] students stand in the student section of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium as they spectate a KU football game. This year as the stadium is undergoing construction, KU football is moving to the Chiefs Stadium for the 2024-2025 season.

FEATURE: KU Football Moves to Kansas City

Rakshan Ossen and Jonah Frye March 4, 2024

In the midst of rebuilding the David Booth Memorial stadium, the University of Kansas Football moved home matches of the 2024-2025 season to Kansas City. The team’s home-field advantage will now be playing...

Illustration by Mylie Brillhart

NEWS: TikTok Goes Silent as Artists’ Music is Removed

Corinne Kingsley, Reporter March 4, 2024

On Feb. 1, the Universal Music Group failed to reach their licensing agreement with TikTok. Content creators on TikTok no longer can create videos using music made by artists in UMG, and many TikTokers’...

Illustration by Luna Hu

FEATURE: Black Hairstyles and their Origin

Arianna Waller, Reporter March 4, 2024

Hair has been used as a symbol of identity in many African cultures around the globe, rooting in the 1960’s when the ‘Natural hair movement’ came to be. Supported by activists Marcus Garvey and Angela...

Digital Illustration by Allison Mayhew

FEATURE: (Pen)demic

Allison Mayhew, News Editor-in-Chief February 29, 2024

With just the click of a button and a few hits, weed pens can be used to get high at any time or place. Different from traditional forms of marijuana, they are portable, rechargeable and produce only a...

In 1861, Kansas was established as a Free State. Now the school carries the namesake, however many feel the history is left unrecognized. Photo illustration by Allison Mayhew and Gregory Mayhew.

OPINION: Is Free State Living up to its Name?

Maria Mosconi, News Planning Team February 29, 2024

Free State High School opened in 1997, approximately a century and a half after Kansas joined America as a “free state,” or a state where slavery was illegal. At the heart of this movement was Lawrence,...

Load More Stories

Comments (0)

All Free Press Online Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest